- ORAL IMPLANTOLOGY
Is there an age limit for implant dentistry?
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25241/stomaeduj.2020.7(2).art.3
Abstract
Introduction Aging may impede implant survival due to compromised wound healing. The present study assessed, retrospectively, whether there is an age limit for implant dentistry.
Methodology All patients treated with a single implant brand in a single medical center were included. Early implant failure (EIF) was recorded. The cohort was divided to a younger (20 to 65) and an older (≥65) group. The comparison between groups was based on: (1) gender (2) physical status (3) implant location (4) implant dimensions (5) number of implants placed per patient and (6) bone grafting.
Results Out of 121 patients, the younger group comprised 57 and the older 64. The younger cohort received 192 implants (mean: 3.25±3.68, range: 1 to 16 implants per patient) vs. 171 (mean 2.78±1.91, range: 1 to 11 implants per patient) in the older group. The older did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from the younger in any of the parameters evaluated. EIF on implant and patient level was 1.0 and 3.5%, respectively in the younger vs. 1.1 and 3.1%, respectively in the older. Seven patients were ≥80 years. EIF at implant and patient level was 8.3 %and 14.3% respectively.
Conclusions Elderly patients ≥65 years old presented a similarly low EIF rate as younger patients 20 to 65 years old, while patients ≥80 years old may have a slight tendency for a higher EIF rate. Hence, there seems to be no age limit for implant dentistry.
Keywords
Early Implant Failure; Osseointegration; Older Population; Dental Implant; Aging.